# German ARD crime series production

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-ard-crime-series-production
> Updated: 2026-08-30T07:34:00.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 4.

The German ARD crime series ‘Nord bei Nordwest’ continues its production, which is set to increase from three films per year to four starting in 2026. 

The 30th installment, ‘Das dritte Grab’ (The Third Grave), directed by Greta Benkelmann, follows investigators Hauke Jacobs, Hannah Wagner, and Jule Christiansen. The plot involves a cemetery gardener discovering a grave marked ‘Mörder’ (murderer) and the subsequent discovery of Olaf Dannenberg, who had been buried alive. As the investigation into a dark secret regarding a wealthy aunt's inheritance progresses, a second victim, Brigitte Grimm, is also found to have been buried alive, placing cemetery manager Dirk Eilers under scrutiny. The episode is available via television broadcast and the ARD Mediathek.

A subsequent episode, ‘Bei Einbruch Mord’ (Murder During a Burglary), features investigators Jacobs and Chief Inspector Wagner examining a scene involving Leyla Spiekermann and Nele Storm. While the incident initially appears to be a botched burglary targeting a wealthy couple, forensic evidence such as unusual shooting angles suggests a calculated murder involving the victims' partners. This episode is scheduled to air on September 3 at 8:15 PM on Das Erste and is also available online.

## Claims

- The series Nord bei Nordwest has released its 30th film, titled 'Das dritte Grab'. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Previous episodes in the series reached up to 6.49 million viewers. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The series is expanding from three films per year to four films for 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Greta Benkelmann directed the 30th film, 'Das dritte Grab'. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The episode 'Das dritte Grab' of the series 'Nord bei Nordwest' is scheduled to air on Thursday, August 27, at 8:15 PM on ARD. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The plot involves the discovery of Olaf Dannenberg's body in a wooden box, having been buried alive. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The motive for the murder is linked to a secret regarding the inheritance of Dannenberg's wealthy aunt. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A second victim is buried alive by the perpetrator during the course of the investigation. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-30: Nord bei Nordwest releases new crime episode

The German crime series ‘Nord bei Nordwest’ premieres a new episode titled ‘Bei Einbruch Mord’, featuring a complex murder investigation disguised as a burglary.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nord-bei-nordwest-releases-new-crime-episode

### 2026-08-27: Nord bei Nordwest: Das dritte Grab airs on ARD

The crime drama “Nord bei Nordwest: Das dritte Grab” airs on ARD, following an investigation into a man found buried alive and a second body discovered at a cemetery.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nord-bei-nordwest-das-dritte-grab-airs-on-ard

### 2026-08-24: Nord bei Nordwest features new crime episode on ARD

The German crime series ‘Nord bei Nordwest’ airs a new episode on ARD involving a series of victims found buried alive and a mystery surrounding a wealthy inheritance.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nord-bei-nordwest-releases-30th-crime-film

### 2026-08-14: Morden im Norden crime series broadcast schedule

The crime series ‘Morden im Norden’ continues its television run on ARD, with upcoming episodes including ‘Die alte Wippe’ and ‘Das letzte Lachen’ scheduled for mid-August.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morden-im-norden-crime-series-broadcast-schedule

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Cite as: German ARD crime series production. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-ard-crime-series-production